Test Id : TFE3F

This test does not include a pathology consultation. If a pathology consultation is requested, PATHC / Pathology Consultation should be ordered and the appropriate FISH test will be ordered and performed at an additional charge.

This test includes a charge for application of the first probe set (2 FISH probes) and professional interpretation of results.

Additional charges will be incurred for all reflex probes performed. Analysis charges will be incurred based on the number of cells analyzed per probe set. If no cells are available for analysis, no analysis charges will be incurred.

When a TFE3 rearrangement is identified, reflex testing using the TFE3/ASPSCR1 probe will be performed.

1. A pathology report is required in order for testing to be performed. Acceptable pathology reports include working drafts, preliminary pathology or surgical pathology reports.

2. A reason for testing must be provided. If this information is not provided, an appropriate indication for testing may be entered by Mayo Clinic Laboratories.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Specimen Type: Tissue

Preferred: Tissue block

Collection Instructions: Submit a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue block. Blocks prepared with alternative fixation methods may be acceptable; provide fixation method used.

Acceptable: Slides

Collection Instructions: Four consecutive, unstained, 5 micron-thick sections placed on positively charged slides, and 1 hematoxylin and eosin-stained slide.

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Oncology Test Request (T729) with the specimen.

Two consecutive, unstained, 5 micron-thick sections placed on positively charged slides and 1 hematoxylin and eosin-stained slide

An aid in the diagnosis of alveolar soft-part sarcoma or renal cell carcinoma variant when used in conjunction with an anatomic pathology consultation

This test does not include a pathology consultation. If a pathology consultation is requested, PATHC / Pathology Consultation should be ordered and the appropriate FISH test will be ordered and performed at an additional charge.

This test includes a charge for application of the first probe set (2 FISH probes) and professional interpretation of results.

Additional charges will be incurred for all reflex probes performed. Analysis charges will be incurred based on the number of cells analyzed per probe set. If no cells are available for analysis, no analysis charges will be incurred.

When a TFE3 rearrangement is identified, reflex testing using the TFE3/ASPSCR1 probe will be performed.

Alveolar soft-part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare malignant tumor typically occurring in patients in their 20s to 30s within the muscle and deep tissues of the extremities. ASPS is slow growing and refractory to chemotherapy with a propensity to metastasize. Prolonged survival is possible even with metastasis, although the long-term disease-related mortality rate is high. ASPS is characterized by a translocation that results in fusion of TFE3 on chromosome Xp11.2 with ASPSCR1 (also called ASPL or RCC17) on chromosome 17q25.3. Both balanced and unbalanced forms (loss of the derivative X chromosome) of the translocation have been observed.

Another tumor, a rare subset of papillary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with a distinctive pathologic morphology, has rearrangements of TFE3 with ASPSCR1 or other fusion partner genes. This tumor predominantly affects children and young adults, presents at an advanced stage but with an indolent clinical course, and is a distinct entity in the World Health Organization classification. Typically a balanced form of the translocation is present in the RCC variant. An assay to detect rearrangement of TFE3 is useful to resolve diagnostic uncertainty in these tumor types, as immunohistochemistry for TFE3 is not reliable.

An interpretive report will be provided.

A neoplastic clone is detected when the percent of nuclei with the abnormality exceeds the established normal cutoff for the TFE3 probe set.

A positive result of TFE3 rearrangement is consistent with a diagnosis of alveolar soft-part sarcoma (ASPS) or renal cell carcinoma (RCC) variant.

A negative result suggests that TFE3 is not rearranged, but does not exclude the diagnosis of ASPS or RCC variant.

This test is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and it is best used as an adjunct to existing clinical and pathologic information.

Fixatives other than formalin (eg, Prefer, Bouin's) may not be successful for FISH assays, however non-formalin fixed samples will not be rejected.

Paraffin-embedded tissues that have been decalcified are generally unsuccessful for FISH analysis. The pathologist reviewing the hematoxylin and eosin-stained slide may find it necessary to cancel testing.

FISH analysis was performed on 71 formalin fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens. These included 12 tumor samples (10 alveolar soft-part sarcoma [ASPS] and 2 renal cell carcinoma [RCC variant]), 9 tumors in the differential diagnosis, and 25 noncancerous control specimens from each sex (50 total). The normal controls were used to generate a normal cutoff for this assay. Of the 10 ASPS cases, 4 did not have a rearrangement, 2 had a balanced TFE3 separation, and 4 had an atypical TFE3 separation (presence of 2 normal X chromosomes and the derivative 17, but loss of the derivative X). This atypical rearrangement was confirmed using a TFE3/ASPSCR1 probe set. Of the 2 diagnostic RCC cases, 1 was normal and 1 had an atypical TFE3 separation, but reflex testing with the TFE3/ASPSCR1 probe was not possible due to insufficient sample.

1. Zhong M, De Angelo P, Osborne L, et al: Dual-color break-apart FISH assay on paraffin-embedded tissues as an adjunct to diagnosis of Xp11 translocation renal cell carcinoma and alveolar soft part sarcoma. Am J Surg Pathol 2010;34(6):757-766

2. Ladanyi M, Lui MY, Antonescu CR, et al: The der(17)t(X;17)(p11;q25) of human alveolar soft part sarcoma fuses the TFE3 transcription factor gene to ASPL, a novel gene at 17q25. Oncogene 2001;20:48-57

3. Ross H, Argani P: Xp11 translocation renal cell carcinoma. Pathology 2010;42(4):369-373

The test is performed using a laboratory-developed TFE3 tri-color break-apart strategy probe (BAP). Reflex testing using a TFE3/ASPSCR1 dual-color, dual-fusion (D-FISH) strategy probe set is performed when atypical TFE3 separation is detected. Formalin fixed paraffin-embedded tissues are cut at 5 microns and mounted on positively charged glass slides. The selection of tissue and the identification of target areas on the hematoxylin and eosin (H and E)-stained slide are performed by a pathologist. Using the H and E-stained slide as a reference, target areas are etched with a diamond-tipped etcher on the back of the unstained slide to be assayed. Each probe set is hybridized to the appropriate target area and 2 technologists each analyze 50 interphase nuclei (100 total for each probe set) with the results expressed as the percent of abnormal nuclei.(Unpublished Mayo method)

Monday through Friday

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This test was developed using an analyte specific reagent. Its performance characteristics were determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

88271x2, 88291-DNA probe, each (first probe set), Interpretation and report

88271x2-DNA probe, each; each additional probe set (if appropriate)

88271x1-DNA probe, each; coverage for sets containing 3 probes (if appropriate)

88271x2-DNA probe, each; coverage for sets containing 4 probes (if appropriate)

88271x3-DNA probe, each; coverage for sets containing 5 probes (if appropriate)

88274 w/modifier 52-Interphase in situ hybridization, <25 cells, each probe set (if appropriate)

88274-Interphase in situ hybridization, 25 to 99 cells, each probe set (if appropriate)        

Sample Reports

Normal and Abnormal sample reports are provided as references for report appearance.

Normal Reports | Abnormal Reports

SI Sample Reports

International System (SI) of Unit reports are provided for a limited number of tests. These reports are intended for international account use and are only available through MayoLINK accounts that have been defined to receive them.

SI Normal Reports | SI Abnormal Reports